Everything that's now happening with Greater Manchester's delayed Clean Air Zone after day of drama

In a dramatic u-turn, the controversial Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone is to be delayed following a government announcement.

The scheme was intended to come into force in May, but Greater Manchester leaders have now been given until July to submit a revised plan.

The announcement comes a day after hundreds of taxi drivers protested against the proposals, which Boris Johnson labelled this week as 'completely unworkable'.

READ MORE: Tell us your thoughts on the latest Clean Air Zone updates

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham had also urged the government to 'take the politics out' of the situation and work together on a solution.

Here's what you need to know about the Clean Air Zone following today's dramatic development, and where it's up to.

Under the initial Clean Air Zone (CAZ) plans, drivers of ‘non-compliant’ vans and taxis would have been charged when driving into or within Greater Manchester from May.

The charges include a £60 fee for buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles, £10 for vans and minibuses and £7.50 for Hackney cabs and private hire vehicles.

The plans are aimed at slashing high levels of air pollution in the area, with it estimated to cause 1,000 deaths a year here and with the region having 152 separate stretches of road on which nitrogen dioxide is at illegally high levels.

The plans come at an uncertain time while the world continues to struggle to respond to the pandemic.

Despite being in the pipeline since 2017, it was only when road signs started appearing at the end of December that a real revolt was sparked.

Yesterday, some 100 taxi drivers assembled at the Etihad Stadium before making their way into Manchester city centre, blowing their horns as they looped past the mayor's offices